Byron Quick
Moderator In Memoriam
OK, we're going to need reports of progress, folks. Good thread. Solid high road.
I like the idea of hunting, but...
- Thread starter jamz
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MeekandMild
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Once when I went to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky one of the guides gave another take on the subject. He said that there were actually areas of prairie in the state, where the Indians burned off the forest to keep grasslands growing.
Why? So they could have buffalo herds. They didn't manage their land for deer.
Mannlicher
Member
stick with shooting beer cans, you are just not cut out for hunting. 
Byron Quick
Moderator In Memoriam
The burning of the forests to create prairie sounds like a legend to me...after all...there wasn't a shortage of prairie.
More than that...the use of the prairie and the evolvement of plains Indian tribes hunting buffalo required the capture or domestication of the horse.
The wild horse herds weren't there until the 1600's and even then it took a good while for their numbers to increase.
The various Lakota tribes were still in Michigan in the late 1700's.
Prior to the domestication of the horse...and figuring out how the hell to ride...Indians didn't have but one real way to hunt buffalo. And it was chancy when it came to reliably feeding the tribe year after year.
You find a herd in the right spot with the wind blowing right. You set the prairie on fire at multiple spots in a semicircle hemming in the herd. The wind is blowing the fire towards the herd. The herd stampedes...right over a cliff.
Real in tune with the balance of nature.
More than that...the use of the prairie and the evolvement of plains Indian tribes hunting buffalo required the capture or domestication of the horse.
The wild horse herds weren't there until the 1600's and even then it took a good while for their numbers to increase.
The various Lakota tribes were still in Michigan in the late 1700's.
Prior to the domestication of the horse...and figuring out how the hell to ride...Indians didn't have but one real way to hunt buffalo. And it was chancy when it came to reliably feeding the tribe year after year.
You find a herd in the right spot with the wind blowing right. You set the prairie on fire at multiple spots in a semicircle hemming in the herd. The wind is blowing the fire towards the herd. The herd stampedes...right over a cliff.
Real in tune with the balance of nature.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Other than some popular opinion, where is it written that homo sap ain't a part of "nature"? Those AmerInds were just following one of "Art's Laws": "Whatever works is by definition good."
, Art
Those AmerInds were just following one of "Art's Laws": "Whatever works is by definition good.", Art
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jamz
Member
UPDATE:
This week I am getting my hunting license.
Looks like there are a couple of things that have no season around here, and it turns out that I live only a HALF MILE from a 450 acre Wilderness Management Area (public hunting/fishing preserve)!!!! Walking distance!
I went out there with my 4 year old last week to check out the land. Nice place, but a bit flooded out right now. Lots of deer and coyote tracks.
I can't wait.
-James
This week I am getting my hunting license.
Looks like there are a couple of things that have no season around here, and it turns out that I live only a HALF MILE from a 450 acre Wilderness Management Area (public hunting/fishing preserve)!!!! Walking distance!
I went out there with my 4 year old last week to check out the land. Nice place, but a bit flooded out right now. Lots of deer and coyote tracks.
I can't wait.
-James
MeekandMild
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- 1,877
Good for you. You'll enjoy it.
Earlier in this thread there was discussion about the 'icky' parts of hunting. So the best advice would be to ask around until you can find an old hunter who can show you how to field dress the deer. Lacking that, find a deer processor who would be willing to walk you through field dressing the first time. The processor can then finish the job any way you like it. Best to ask for it deboned.
(I've cleaned fish and wildlife since I was about five years old, but it might be problematic for a new guy. I once took a goat to a processor to see what would happen and ended up with about 100 little shrink wrapped packages that looked like pork chops, totally weirded me out.)
About old growth forest East of the Mississippi, I did some more reading since this thread started its first cycle. Nachez, Choctaw and Chickasaw had vast land holdings planted in crops. Using slash and burn techniques there probably wasn't much forest in the lowlands.
Earlier in this thread there was discussion about the 'icky' parts of hunting. So the best advice would be to ask around until you can find an old hunter who can show you how to field dress the deer. Lacking that, find a deer processor who would be willing to walk you through field dressing the first time. The processor can then finish the job any way you like it. Best to ask for it deboned.
(I've cleaned fish and wildlife since I was about five years old, but it might be problematic for a new guy. I once took a goat to a processor to see what would happen and ended up with about 100 little shrink wrapped packages that looked like pork chops, totally weirded me out.)
About old growth forest East of the Mississippi, I did some more reading since this thread started its first cycle. Nachez, Choctaw and Chickasaw had vast land holdings planted in crops. Using slash and burn techniques there probably wasn't much forest in the lowlands.
HBK
member
I'm having the same problem. I want to start hunting, but I have, to the letter, the same concerns as you, jamz. The advice on this thread is excellent. I would go with you, actually, but it would be the blind leading the blind and I'm 3,000 miles from you. I need to find an old hunter around Washington that can pass down some of his knowledge.
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